Stakeholders in biotechnology have interacted with cotton farmers in Nigeria at a one training workshop on the importance of adopting the Genetically Modified Bt cotton to farmers, textile industry and the Nigerian economy.

The workshop was organized by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) with the theme “Grass Root Engagement for Sustainable, Commercialization of Bt. Cotton” in Abuja.

In his address the Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Professor Abdulahi said the Bt. Cotton “can produce 4.1 to 4.4 tonnes per hectare, compared to the local variety, which yields just 600 to 900 kilograms per hectare.”